MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

SEA DIKE PROVINCIAL GUIDELINES

(File Ref. No.:  10-6045-09-01) (REDMS No. 2988571)

In reply to queries from Committee, Jim Young, Manager, Engineering Design and Construction, advised that an increase in dike height is proposed by the Province in the draft Sea Dike Guidelines as a result of sea level rise projections to year 2100.  This would require the City to increase its dikes approximately 1.5 metres from their current approximate height of 3.5 metres.

It was moved and seconded

That a letter be sent to the Provincial Minister of Environment, copied to local MLAs, requesting dedicated funding to allow the City to proceed with a dike raising program should the Province adopt the draft Sea Dike Guidelines.

CARRIED

2.

EAST RICHMOND AGRICULTURAL LANDS - DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION UPGRADES PROGRAM
(File Ref. No.:  10-6340-01) (REDMS No. 3047792)

Mr. Young provided background information and noted that the drainage and irrigation conditions have significantly improved in East Richmond as a result of the upgrades completed to date.

Discussion ensued regarding the improvements and in reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Young advised that some farm fields would require investment on behalf of the property owners in order to address some drainage issues.

It was moved and seconded

Thata letter be sent to the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-foods, and the Provincial Minister of Agriculture requesting dedicated funding to allow the City to continue with the priority East Richmond drainage and irrigation works.

CARRIED

3.

RAMSAR DESIGNATION OF PROVINCIAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS IN RICHMOND

(File Ref. No.:  01-0005-01) (REDMS No. 3077225)

Cecilia Achiam, Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy, provided background information and noted that the lands involving Richmond are wholly owned by the Province and are already designated as Provincial Wildlife Management Areas (PWMA).

Discussion ensued regarding Sturgeon Bank and the impact of Ramsar designation on the activities currently permitted within PWMA.

A member of Committee distributed extracts of past reports related to Sturgeon Bank (Schedule 1) and was of the opinion that Sturgeon Bank should not be included in the Ramsar designation application.

Lesley Douglas, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, advised that any application in the PWMA is subject to provincial environmental regulations and the potential Ramsar designation would not negatively impact activities already permitted within the PWMA, such as agricultural practices.

Further discussion ensued regarding the impact of Ramsar designation on the activities currently permitted on Sturgeon Bank and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Ramsar Designation of Provincial Wildlife Management Areas in Richmond”, dated November 30, 2010 from the Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy be referred back to staff to seek clarification regarding what types of activities would be permitted on the lands once the lands have the Ramsar designation.

CARRIED

4.

CITY OF RICHMOND COMMENTS ON METRO VANCOUVER’S DRAFT REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY

(File Ref. No.:  10-6125-07-02/) (REDMS No. 3077517)

Margot Daykin, Sustainability Manager, provided background information and spoke of the City’s proposed comments on Metro Vancouver’s Draft Regional Food System Strategy.

Discussion ensued and a member of Committee commented on core institutional challenges and the importance of allowing agricultural activities in all zones, particularly in urban zones.

It was moved and seconded

That the comments in Attachment 1 of the staff report entitled “City Of Richmond Comments On Metro Vancouver’s Draft Regional Food System Strategy” dated November 29, 2010 from the Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy, be endorsed and forwarded to Metro Vancouver as input into the Draft Regional Food System Strategy.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Nelson Road

Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works Operations, commented on the major sewer forcemain break that has closed Nelson Road between Westminster Highway and Blundell Road.  The closure caused significant traffic backups on Westminster Highway and surrounding roadways.  Mr. Stewart noted that the repairs are now complete and traffic is back to normal.

(ii)

Official Community Plan (2041) Update – Transportation-Related Activities

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, referenced a memorandum dated December 8, 2010 entitled “Official Community Plan (2041) Update – Transportation-Related Activities” (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office). 

Mr. Wei highlighted various activities that would help ensure that the City’s transportation system would continue to provide a high degree of mobility for Richmond’s residents, businesses, employees, and visitors over the next 30 years.

In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Wei advised that the activities were formed based on forecast population and employment growth as well as land use changes with an emphasis on sustainable travel modes such as transit, cycling and walking.

(iii)

River Green

John Irving, Director, Engineering, referenced a memorandum dated December 1, 2010 entitled “River Green District Energy Utility – MOU Phase” (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and reviewed the various phases related to the project.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:28 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Public Works & Transportation Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk